my brother has devoted himself. But Fergus has taken his measures with his eyes open. His life has been devoted to this cause from his cradle; with him its call is sacred, were it even a summons to the tomb. But how can I wish you, Mr. Waverley, so new to the world, so far from every friend who might advise and ought to influence you, — in a moment, too, of sudden pique and indignation, — how can I wish you to plunge yourself at once into so desperate an enterprise?’
Fergus, who did not understand these delicacies, strode through the apartment biting his lip, and then, with a constrained smile, said, ‘Well, sister, I leave you to act your new character of mediator between the Elector of Hanover and the subjects of your lawful sovereign and benefactor,’ and left the room.
There was a painful pause, which was at length broken by Miss Mac-Ivor. ‘My brother is unjust,’ she said, ‘because he can bear no interruption that seems to thwart his loyal zeal.’
‘And do you not share his ardour?’ asked Waverley,
‘Do I not?’ answered Flora. ‘God knows mine exceeds his, if that be possible. But I am not, like him, rapt by the bustle of military preparation, and the infinite detail necessary to the present undertaking, beyond consideration of the grand principles of justice and truth, on which our enterprise is grounded; and these, I am certain, can only be furthered by measures in themselves true and just. To operate upon your present feelings, my dear Mr. Waverley, to induce you to an irretrievable step, of which you have not considered either the justice or the danger, is, in my poor judgment, neither the one nor the other.’
‘Incomparable Flora!’ said Edward, taking her hand, ‘how much do I need such a monitor!’
‘A better one by far,’ said Flora, gently withdrawing her hand, ‘Mr. Waverley will always find in his own bosom, when he will give its small still voice leisure to be heard.’
‘No, Miss Mac-Ivor, I dare not hope it; a thousand circumstances of fatal self-indulgence have made me the creature rather of imagination than reason. Durst I but hope — could I but think — that you would deign to be to me that affectionate, that condescending friend, who would strengthen me to redeem my errors, my future life — ’
‘Hush, my dear sir! now you carry your joy at escaping the hands of a Jacobite recruiting officer to an unparalleled excess of gratitude.’
‘Nay, dear Flora, trifle with me no longer; you cannot mistake the meaning of those feelings which I have almost involuntarily expressed; and since I have broken the barrier of silence, let me profit by my audacity. Or may I, with your permission, mention to your brother — ’
‘Not for the world, Mr. Waverley!’
‘What am I to understand?’ said Edward. ‘Is there any fatal bar — has any prepossession — ’
‘None, sir,’ answered Flora. ‘I owe it to myself to say that I never yet saw the person on whom I thought with reference to the present subject.’
‘The shortness of our acquaintance, perhaps — If Miss Mac-Ivor will deign to give me time — ’
‘I have not even that excuse. Captain Waverley’s character is so open — is, in short, of that nature that it cannot be misconstrued, either in its strength or its weakness.’
‘And for that weakness you despise me?’ said Edward.
‘Forgive me, Mr. Waverley — and remember it is but within this half hour that there existed between us a barrier of a nature to me insurmountable, since I never could think of an officer in the service of the Elector of Hanover in any other light than as a casual acquaintance. Permit me then to arrange my ideas upon so unexpected a topic, and in less than an hour I will be ready to give you such reasons for the resolution I shall express as may be satisfactory at least, if not pleasing to you.’ So saying Flora withdrew, leaving Waverley to meditate upon the manner in which she had received his addresses.
Ere he could make up his mind whether to believe his suit had been acceptable or no, Fergus re-entered the apartment. ‘What, a la mort, Waverley?’ he cried. ‘Come down with me to the court, and you shall see a sight worth all the tirades of your romances. An hundred firelocks, my friend, and as many broadswords, just arrived from good friends; and two or three hundred stout fellows almost fighting which shall first possess them. But let me look at you closer. Why, a true Highlander would say you had been blighted by an evil eye. Or can it be this silly girl that has thus blanked your spirit. Never mind her, dear Edward; the wisest of her sex are fools in what regards the business of life.’
‘Indeed, my good friend,’ answered Waverley, ‘all that I can charge against your sister is, that she is too sensible, too reasonable.’
‘If that be all, I ensure you for a louis-d’or against the mood lasting four-and-twenty hours. No woman was ever steadily sensible for that period; and I will engage, if that will please you, Flora shall be as unreasonable to-morrow as any of her sex. You must learn, my dear Edward, to consider women en mousquetaire.’ So saying, he seized Waverley’s arm and dragged him off to review his military preparations.
Chapter XXVII
Upon the Same Subject
Fergus Mac-Ivor had too much tact and delicacy to renew the subject which he had interrupted. His head was, or appeared to be, so full of guns, broadswords, bonnets, canteens, and tartan hose that Waverley could not for some time draw his attention to any other topic.
‘Are you to take the field so soon, Fergus,’ he asked, ‘that you are making all these martial preparations?’
‘When we have settled that you go with me, you shall know all; but otherwise, the knowledge might rather be prejudicial to you.’
‘But are you serious in your purpose, with such inferior forces, to rise against an established government? It is mere frenzy.’
‘Laissez faire a Don Antoine; I shall take good care of myself. We shall at least use the compliment of Conan, who never got a stroke but he gave one. I would not, however,’ continued the Chieftain, ‘have you think me mad enough to stir till a favourable opportunity: I will not slip my dog before the game’s afoot. But, once more, will you join with us, and you shall know all?’
‘How can I?’ said Waverley; ‘I, who have so lately held that commission which is now posting back to those that gave it? My accepting it implied a promise of fidelity, and an acknowledgment of the legality of the government.’
‘A rash promise,’ answered Fergus, ‘is not a steel handcuff, it may be shaken off, especially when it was given under deception, and has been repaid by insult. But if you cannot immediately make up your mind to a glorious revenge, go to England, and ere you cross the Tweed you will hear tidings that will make the world ring; and if Sir Everard be the gallant old cavalier I have heard him described by some of our HONEST gentlemen of the year one thousand seven hundred and fifteen, he will find you a better horse-troop and a better cause than you have lost.’
‘But your sister, Fergus?’
‘Out, hyperbolical fiend!’ replied the Chief, laughing; ‘how vexest thou this man! Speak’st thou of nothing but of ladies?’
‘Nay, be serious, my dear friend,’ said Waverley; ‘I feel that the happiness
